Jackal - NES super hack

[PolishedTurd]

That looks cool! I notice the explosions do not cause the terrain to illuminate though. Any chance to work that effect in?

[RayofJay]

oh, i turned that feature off for level 7 (completely configurable for each level now ).  i went to make a video of the level and noticed the flash was making the stage darker - so i just turned it off.  I had envisioned the urban stage in daylight too.  i also don't want the flash on every level to take away from the awe of the effect.
August 31, 2021, 10:02:22 AM - (Auto Merged - Double Posts are not allowed before 7 days.)
i was actually thinking of making a REALLY dark level, reminiscent of Jungle Strike Level 4, that's super hard to see unless you're firing.  Of course, you have unlimited ammo in jackal, but it can still make the level hard not seeing much all the time.

The NES palette may make that difficult though, with only having a medium gray and black.  perhaps making use of the dark blues..
September 05, 2021, 12:45:45 PM - (Auto Merged - Double Posts are not allowed before 7 days.)
if anyone wants to contribute, just let me know .  level design and modification is pretty time-consuming.  There's 5 untouched levels that need ideas/editing.

[RayofJay]

Level 1 is complete .  Sure, there may be some tweaks to enemy AI, and some replay value changes for when the game is beaten the first time, but it's nice to have a level pretty much done.

I'm still searching for level ideas, and especially new enemy ideas (graphics, and more importantly, function/mechanics).

[Trax]

I'll give it another shot, and let you know if there are any major bugs or annoyances.

[RayofJay]

@trax, do you mean the original hack i made?  I haven't released this hack - won't be for quite a while i'd imagine, but you're more than welcome to test it out.  DM/email me or something.

ALSO - my first large boss edit is happening.  a sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb27E85LLN0

[Googie]

After seeing that video yesterday now I wanna take a stab at hacking this game.

[RayofJay]

the more the merrier!  I am the only one thats gone so far as to recreate the source code (that i know of), and I was the first to post a hack of jackal to RHDN, but there are a few others dabbling.  Bogaa has contributed some custom code and a western themed level.  others have contributed ideas/graphics.  China has a decent Jackal scene, and, though I've reached out to some on bilibili, Their community is separate still.

There's a small discord where a few of us discuss things if you'd like to join:
https://discord.gg/9FMHwdtGXD
(It's a Castelvania-named server, but there's a lot of different game channels)

[Trax]

I've tried a version of the game where the machine gun shoots in the same direction as the Jeep's orientation. I thought it was a nice modification, but it also revealed that being able to shoot up while driving another direction has its advantages. I thought that it could be a nice option to toggle between the two modes with the Select button.

[RayofJay]

there was a separate hack posted that provides any direction bullet firing.  i added this feature in my last release of the other hack before though.  if you hold down the bullet fire button it maintains the direction

and yes its gotten me killed many times thinking my bullets would go up .

[RayofJay]

progression is quite slow at times...but I have implemented a simple HUD disable feature.  Pausing and pressing select will hide the HUD now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcPTy4QXnX4
October 18, 2021, 10:36:33 AM - (Auto Merged - Double Posts are not allowed before 7 days.)
A new mini boss.  S-Mines!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoaCKwdSTA4

[RayofJay]

a bit of inspiration and suggestion led to this repurposing of the Level 4 train.  the object is both a normal enemy and part of the new miniboss here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDQ30IEv7F4

[RayofJay]

updated explosion animations.  the original were very clunky and had too many frames.  pretty non-fluid.  I added 2 additional animations.  I kept the overall explosion timing about the same, which reduced the timing for each animation, which also helped the animations seem more fluid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOAw4joMWQ4
January 02, 2022, 11:35:29 AM - (Auto Merged - Double Posts are not allowed before 7 days.)
made some nice progress on this new sniper/shooter from a window for Level 7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqxZVE2EbLI

[RayofJay]

I decided to try an lure some of those interested in contributing/modding Jackal by creating a discord specific to the cause.

feel free to join for any reason: give jackal some love, contribute ideas, see what's going on, contribute some graphics/level mods, or even some new source code.
Come join the development: https://discord.gg/7EAJJBEbTZ

[RayofJay]

i still don't plan to post much here (join the discord if you want to track my progress), but this is pretty sweet, so i'll throw it up here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gHpAidP18c

[Flaviogames]

RayofJay: your project is very interesting, but i think that for a limited gameplay it is very difficult, it gives less shots slower

[FireBrandWhip]

Very cool would it be possible to have the editor allow how many extra lives you start with for both players,... As well as be able to keep grenades and missiles if you die?

This could be pretty cool to have 30 guys like in Contra!